For the record, Helldivers 2 originally required a PSN account or PlayStation Network account even on a PC. However, due to the game’s massive spike in popularity, which caused server issues, the developers gave a grace period and let PC players skip that PSN account linking. Now that the game has stabilized, the Helldivers 2 PSN account linking requirement is back. Still, Steam and PC players don’t seem to be super happy about it.
Shock and Awe for Steam Players
On May 3, 2024, the Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead Studios took to Steam’s event page and posted the news. It’s an announcement confirming that they’ll be bringing back the mandatory PSN account linking. The previous grace period where they temporarily allowed Steam players to skip the PSN account linking (due to server issues) is now due to expire.
Starting May 6, 2024, all new Helldivers 2 accounts or players will be required to link their Steam account to their PSN account. If you don’t have a PSN account, you’re going to have to create one.
Moreover, any player who has utilized the grace period and skipped the account linking will see a PSN login prompt starting May 30, 2024. Helldivers 2 has also set a deadline of June 4, 2024, presumably before the game starts barring non-PSN-linked accounts from entering the game.
As for why, Arrowhead Studios explained that the account linking is made with player protection and safety in mind, particularly from griefing and abuse.
Helldivers Aren’t Happy About It
As expected, plenty of Steam and PC players for Helldivers 2 aren’t too keen on the idea. Some were unaware of the PSN account linking requirements. That would be understandable if they joined and bought Helldivers 2 during the grace period. Not all players check the requirements on the Steam page, after all.
Others are worried because they live in a country where PSN is banned or doesn’t have an active service. They were only able to play since the game temporarily waived the PSN account linking requirement. Now that the game is back with this requirement, those players are worried.
In any case, Reddit users have already voiced their concerns.
It appears that some of the Steam players even suspect that the Helldivers 2 PSN account linking requirement is a way for Sony to gather additional data. Regardless of whether that’s true or not, the somewhat abrupt update has the PC player base in a brewing outrage.
